Conor McGregor, one of the most famous MMA fighters of all time, is used to his face being shown on TVs all over the world during fight nights. Now, the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion will make his presence felt on the big screen.
The “Notorious” one is set to make his movie debut, joining Jake Gyllenhaal in a remake of the classic 1980s film “Road House.” The film will be released via Prime Video. Filming will start in about a month, and McGregor will have a leading role in it.
The film will be directed by Doug Liman, who has manned the films “Swingers,” “The Bourne Identity,” “Edge of Tomorrow” and “American Made.” The script was written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry.
“Conor McGregor is very excited to expand his storied career to Hollywood and join with Jake Gyllenhaal in this reimagining of ‘Road House,’ a beloved classic,” said McGregor spokeswoman Karen J. Kessler, via Ariel Helwani. “While fighting remains his top focus, this is the beginning of another successful venture in the McGregor empire. He is eager to get started filming.”
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Who is Conor McGregor?
Born in Ireland, McGregor made his pro debut in 2008. He won the Cage Warriors featherweight and lightweight titles before joining the UFC in 2013. In 2015, McGregor beat Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win the UFC featherweight title. After two epic clashes against Nate Diaz, McGregor beat Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title inside Madison Square Garden.
He then fought Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in 2017, losing via TKO. After becoming one of the richest fighters in the world, McGregor would not appear in an octagon again until 2018. McGregor lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title in 2018 via submission.
Since his return, he is 1-3 in the octagon. At UFC 264, McGregor suffered a broken tibia in a TKO loss against Dustin Poirier. After undergoing surgery, McGregor is expected back in the octagon sometime in 2023.
What is the plot of the new ‘Road House’ film?
Per Deadline, the film “follows a former UFC fighter (Gyllenhaal) who takes a job as a bouncer at a rough-and-tumble roadhouse in the Florida Keys, but soon discovers that not everything is what it seems in this tropical paradise.”
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McGregor’s role is unknown at this time. He is expected to play an original character and not himself.
Interestingly enough, in 2015, it was announced that former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey would star in the remake. The project was canceled in 2016.
‘Road House’ history
The new film comes after the original from 1989, starring Patrick Swayze. Swayze played James Dalton, a bouncer who takes over security for the Double Deuce club. He protects the small town where the club is located from a corrupt businessman.
The film also starred Sam Elliot and Kelly Lynch. Pro wrestling legend Terry Funk also had a role in the movie. It made $61.6 million at the box office from a $15 million budget.
MMA fighters in films
McGregor will not be the first MMA fighter to appear in a major film.
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Although Rousey didn’t get to make a “Road House” remake, she still appeared in films “The Expendables 3,” “Furious 7” and “Entourage.” Quinton “Rampage” Jackson played B.A. Baracus in “The A-Team” reboot. Gina Carano appeared in a “Fast and Furious” movie, and she had a major role in “Deadpool.”
Randy Couture was a big part of “The Expendables” franchise. Bas Rutten appeared in “Here Comes The Boom” while Georges St-Pierre appeared in Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and the “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” series.
Various MMA personalities also were featured on The “Kingdom” TV series that aired from 2014 to 2017, starring Frank Grillo.
It is unknown whether McGregor will appear in more movie roles after this one.